Carrier Profiles
Fleet Focus: Capitol Express
The subject of this Carrier Profile is the Columbus, Ohio-based Capitol Express. Founded in 1992 by company President Kennon Wissinger, this privately-owned business is actually two corporations: Capitol Express Enterprises is a small package delivery company that is registered for freight under 10,000 pounds and does not require commercial vehicles.
The other operating entity is Capitol Express Freight, Inc. which handles freight over 10,000 lbs. in its straight trucks and has 48 state authority.
Wissinger tells of the early days: "I had left a company called U.S. Check (now Airnet, which handles overnight air freight) and relocated to Cleveland to join a company called Prime Time Delivery (small package P&D to air forwarders) as a 50/50 partner."
"In 1992 I bought out my partner and took over our Columbus operation despite my wife thinking I was crazy to go with a startup. That was the beginning of Capitol Express.
When I started the company, my total gross billing was $250.00 a week. We grossed a thousand dollars for the month of May that first year."
"We added our first satellite office in Dayton, OH. We then opened offices in Cincinnati, Lexington and Louisville." Each of the company's offices and warehouses are staffed on a 24/7 basis.
A significant percentage of the company's shipments are in and out of Canada with Honda Motors freight. Wissinger says that his firm also does a substantial amount of work for 3PL's - third party logistics companies. He says, "The beauty of that is, we have their sales people out there selling our service as well. As they grow, so do we."
As part of Capitol's customer base diversification, the company has replaced its former automotive-related shipments with specialized handling services hauling restaurant equipment, medical equipment and other high-value freight. This requires trucks equipped with lift gates, dollies, pads, etc.
Capitol Express utilizes a 100% owner-operator fleet of cargo vans, Sprinter vans, cube vans and 24-foot straight trucks. Dispatch is by load-requirement. The company's software package is connected to the drivers' Nextel phones.
The president comments on the qualities of the successful Capitol Express owner-operator:
"He's got to have the right equipment; a truck with a liftgate, 102"x102" box, etc. If a driver never has to turn down a load because of size or lack of equipment, that's a big plus."
"Availability is a key issue as well. If a driver has the hours to run, he should let dispatch know that he's ready to go because we have freight coming in during the day and evening hours. If he's ready to work, a driver can generate very good revenue. As soon as the driver has regained his hours, we usually need him."
Chuck King, Capitol Express Freight Manager, has been with the company for two and a half years and says, "We're not your typical expediter, but we're not just a local P&D company either.
"Having a diversity of freight opportunities enables us to offer a variety of experiences and working environments, so if a driver is looking for a change of scenery in terms of the kind of work he does, along with more home time, our company is very appealing."
He continues, "Obviously, we're looking for motivated people and one personality trait that we see in our people is that sense of motivation; they're not just motivated to make good money, but they understand that this is a team effort."
"Our drivers are our representatives and our presence out there and they're very sensitive to that. They all carry a pocketful of business cards and they're probably one of our best sources of sales leads! They're an integral part of our success and we like to make sure we take good care of them."
King adds, "We offer a lot of the advantages that you can find with a smaller company because there's more intimacy - you know the people you're working for."
"It's easier to build a team attitude because you're a name, not a number."
"We had a record year last year and we're headed for another one this year. There are certain market niches that we fit very well, our customers recognize that and they've rewarded us with more business."
"What separates Capitol Express from other carriers is the personal contact and the minimal length of time it takes to have an issue resolved. We take a very hands-on approach here and management is always available. Our attention to detail is very important to our employees and drivers."
Capitol Express is currently recruiting: Cargo Vans Sprinter Vans Cube Vans CDL & Non-CDL Straight Trucks
Capitol Express offers:
For recruiting information, contact Chuck King in Columbus at 800-669-5055 or contact any of these hiring locations:
Cincinnati - 800-842-4259
Dayton - 800-772-0672
Lexington - 800-774-4449
Louisville - 866-969-1991
Capitol Express Online Pre-application